2008 Lexus GX470 differential

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D
*: Refer to “Navigation System Owner’s Manual”.
“RSCA OFF” switch P. 89
Outside rear view mirrorheater switch
P. 199
Hood lock release lever P. 320
Fuel filler door lever P. 67
Power outlet switch P. 272
Outside rear view mirror switches P. 59
Instrument panel light control P. 127
Center differential lock switch P. 147
Tilt and telescopic steering control switch
P. 57

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2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
NOTICE
■Avoiding damage to vehicle parts
●Do not turn the steering wheel fully in either direction and hold it there for a long
time.
Doing so may damage the power steering pump.
●When driving over bumps in the road, drive as slowly as possible to avoid damag-
ing the wheels, underside of the vehicle, etc.
■If you hear a squealing or scraping noise (brake pad wear limit indicators)
Have your Lexus dealer check and replace the brake pads as soon as possible.
The rotor damage can result if the pads are not replaced when needed.
■If you get a flat tire while driving
A flat or damaged tire may cause the following situations. Hold the steering wheel
firmly and gradually press the brake pedal to slow down the vehicle.
●It may be difficult to control your vehicle.
●The vehicle will make abnormal sounds.
●The vehicle will behave abnormally.
Replace a flat tire with a new one. ( →P. 3 9 1 )
■When encountering flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded after heavy rain etc. Doing so may cause the
following serious damage to the vehicle.
●Engine stalling
●Short in electrical components
●Engine damage caused by water immersion
In the event that you drive on a flooded road and the vehicle is flooded, be sure to
have your Lexus dealer check the following.
●Brake function
●Changes in quantity and quality of oil and fluid used for the engine, transmission,
transfer, differentials, etc.
●Lubricant condition for the propeller shaft, bearings and suspension joints (where
possible) and the function of all joints, bearings, etc.

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2-2. Instrument cluster
■Indicators
The indicators inform the driver of the operating state of the vehi-
cle’s various systems.
Turn signal indicator
(→ P. 1 2 4 )“RSCA OFF” indicator
(→ P. 8 9 )
Headlight high beam indi-
cator ( →P. 1 3 5 )Downhill assist control
system indicator
(→ P. 1 5 7 )
(U.S.A.)
Headlight indicator
(→ P. 1 3 5 )
(U.S.A.)
Engine oil replacement
reminder light ( →P. 3 8 4 )
(Canada)
Tail light indicator
(→ P. 1 3 5 ) Slip indicator
(→ P. 1 6 0 )
Security indicator
(→ P. 7 0 ) “VSC OFF” indicator
(→ P. 1 4 7 )
Shift position indicators
(→ P. 121)Center differential lock
indicator ( →P. 1 4 7 )
Height control indicator
(→ P. 1 5 0 ) “AIR BAG ON” indicator
(→ P. 9 0 )
Automatic transmission
second start indicator
(→ P. 122)“AIR BAG OFF” indicator
(→ P. 9 0 )
Cruise control indicator
(→ P. 1 4 2 )
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

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2-4. Using other driving systems
Four-wheel drive system
Use the four-wheel drive control lever and center differential lock button
to select following transfer and center differential modes.
Four-wheel drive control lever
“L” (low speed position)
Driving requiring maximum power and traction such as climbing or
descending steep hills, off-road driving and hard pulling in sand or mud.
“N” (neutral position)
No power is delivered to the wheels.
“H” (high speed position)
Normal driving on all types of roads.

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2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
■The four-wheel drive control lever can be operated when
●The engine switch is in the “ON” position,
●The shift lever is in the “N” position, and
●The vehicle is stopped completely.
Center differential lock/unlock buttonUse this button when your vehi-
cle’s wheel gets stuck in a ditch
or when you are driving on a
loose or bumpy surface.

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2-4. Using other driving systems
■The center differential lock/unlock button can be operated when
●The engine switch is in the “ON” position, and
●The four-wheel drive control lever is in the “H” or “L” position.
■Locking/unlocking the center differential
●When the center differential is locked, VSC is automatically turned off. (The
center differential lock and “VSC OFF” indicator lights come on.)
●If the operation is not completed, the center differential lock indicator blinks. If
the indicator light does not go off when unlocking the center differential, drive
straight ahead while accelerating or decelerating, or drive in reverse.
●If center differential lock system operation is not completed within 5 seconds
while the cruise control system is set, cancel the cruise control system.
CAUTION
■While driving
Never move the four-wheel drive control lever if the wheels are slipping. Doing so
may cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the center differential
●Unlock the center differential after the wheels are out of the ditch or off the loose
or bumpy surface.
●Do not push the center differential lock/unlock button when the vehicle is corner-
ing or when its wheels are spinning freely off the ground.

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2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
Driving assist systems
To help enhance driving safety and performance, the following systems
operate automatically in response to various driving situations. Be aware,
however, that these systems are supplementary and should not be relied
upon too heavily when operating the vehicle.
■ ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
Helps to prevent wheel lock when the brakes are applied suddenly, or if
the brakes are applied while driving on a slippery road surface.
■Brake Assist
Generates an increased level of braking force after the brake pedal is
depressed, when the system detects a panic stop situation.
■VSC (Vehicle Stability Control)
Helps the driver to control skidding when swerving suddenly or turning on
slippery road surfaces.
■Active traction control
Maintains drive power and prevents the 4 wheels from spinning when
starting the vehicle or accelerating on slippery roads.
■Hill-start assist control
Helps prevent the vehicle from rolling backwards when starting on an
incline or slippery slope. It operates for approximately 5 seconds at maxi-
mum.
■Limited Slip Differential
Transfers drive power to the rear tires when front tires spin, and vice versa,
in order to improve traction.
■Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (if equipped)
Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System helps to significantly enhance han-
dling response by reducing roll stiffness of the suspension stabilizer bars
through means of a hydraulic control system.

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2-5. Driving information
CAUTION
■Off-road driving precautions
Always observe the following precautions to minimize the risk of serious personal
injury or damage to your vehicle:
●Drive carefully when off the road. Do not take unnecessary risks by driving in
dangerous places.
●Do not grip the steering wheel spokes when driving off-road. A bad bump could
jerk the wheel and injure your hands. Keep both hands and especially your
thumbs on the outside of the rim.
●Always check your brakes for effectiveness immediately after driving in sand,
mud, water or snow.
●After driving through tall grass, mud, rock, sand, rivers, etc., check that there is no
grass, bush, paper, rags, stone, sand, etc. adhering or trapped on the underbody.
Clear off any such matter from the underbody. If the vehicle is used with these
materials trapped or adhering to the underbody, a breakdown or fire could occur.
●When driving off-road or in rugged terrain, do not drive at excessive speeds,
jump, make sharp turns, strike objects, etc. This may cause loss of control or vehi-
cle rollover causing death or serious injury. You are also risking expensive dam-
age to your vehicle’s suspension and chassis.
NOTICE
■To prevent the water damage
Take all necessary safety measures to ensure that water damage to the engine or
other components does not occur.
●Water entering the engine air intake will cause severe engine damage.
●Water entering the automatic transmission will cause deterioration in shift quality,
locking up of your transmission accompanied by vibration, and ultimately dam-
age.
●Water can wash the grease from wheel bearings, causing rusting and premature
failure, and may also enter the differentials, transmission and transfer case, reduc-
ing the gear oil’s lubricating qualities.